Process for refining high-impurity copper to anode copper

Details Process for refining high-impurity copper to anode copper Process for refining high-impurity copper to anode copper

1996-09-20

1998-12-15

Ryan, Patrick

Specialized metallurgical processes, compositions for use therei

Processes

Free metal or alloy reductant contains magnesium

75585, 75414, 75392, 75586, 75644, 75645, C22B 1500

Patent

active

058490612

ABSTRACT:
A process for refining high-impurity blister copper to anode quality copper is disclosed. In an oxidation step of a blister copper refining stage, soda ash fluxing removes antimony and arsenic while also removing sulfur and iron. In a deoxidation step of the blister copper refining stage, sulfur hexafluoride is injected at a controlled oxygen concentration to remove bismuth while reducing the oxygen content. Slag is continuously or periodically skimmed from the surface of the molten blister copper to prevent re-entry of impurities. The process may be carried out in batch operation or, in a preferred embodiment, in continuous flow-through operation.

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